President’s Message: Season’s Greetings and Happy Holidays, WMDDS

Season’s Greetings and Happy Holidays, West Michigan District Dental Society!

By Sarah Lennan Masterson, DDS, MS Grandville WMDDS President

The dental community navigated the challenges of the pandemic together in 2020, but we have still been working together through the changing times, policies, and recommendations in 2021. It seems that as soon as we get to a place of comfort, or at least semi-stability, we must brace for new challenges.

One thing that I am grateful for during these past two years is this dental community. Together, we have made difficult decisions that keep our patients and our staff safe. We have found new ways to stay engaged and educated. We’ve embraced opportunities when they become available and have pivoted when change becomes necessary. This could not be more true in the decision that we have made as WMDDS leadership to cancel the Silent Bell to honor the 2022 recipient, Dr. John Vander Kolk. Given the current transmission rates of COVID-19 in our community, we felt it was best to cancel this event. A personal event will be planned to honor Dr. John Vander Kolk at a later date.

I am wishing you and yours a happy holiday. I hope that you enjoy the season and its joys with your family and friends. Thank you for your teamwork, cooperation, and patience throughout 2021 and for the grace with which you have all handled the past years. I am looking forward to 2022 with optimism and enthusiasm.